If you're on a budget, go to your local cycle gear and get some adv gear. All that bilt crap and whatever they sell is pretty cheap

 

Many great suggestions but I would add a decent balaclava mask

 

snowmobile suite here. Its warm and water proof.
Dont overlook the tire tread (should cover some of washingtons head on a quarter) when riding in snow,slush and rain.
Skiddin on your *** in the warmest clothes sucks anyway you slice it.

 

take most of these answers with a grain of salt the responses are coming from south or warm weather states i don't know Sacramento weather but cold is cold its going be tough
Mazz

 

I have a 1st gear thermo insulated body suit 175 bucks, it is water resistant, wind proof and good down to below freezing. Its kinda bulky to pack on the bike but worth every nickel I spent, very happy.

 

Ya mean ya don't wear it?!

 

Its packed when the bike is parked Graham, dang, maybe I should of specified that one.

 

Neil, couldn't resist!

 

I have a friend in Cameron Park. I met him 20 years ago. Until last year, his only vehicle for those 20 years was a Harley. He rode nearly everyday. I've even seen him show up home in the snow (roads still mostly bare). He did not have heated gear that I knew of and good rain gear, a textile winter jacket, red wing hiking/work boots, decent gloves and helmet.

Just be practical, warm and dry. Snow and ice in Sacramento are rare but if you get those conditions, stay home or go in late. After one winter with just a bike, you may rethink the need for a beater car. In a month you'll have figured out everything you need.

 

You may be right...

I now live in South Texas.

Born and raised in Michigan. I lived 13 years in the snowbelt of Northern Michigan.

I have spent a total of 15 weeks in Northern Alberta in winter, and the entire month of February 2008 working, outside in the oilpatch, on the British Columbia/ Northwest Territories line as cold as 60 degrees below zero Fahrenheit.

I understand what cold is.

I still say, aside from the long dollars for heated gear (I've never used it), the BEST you can buy to ride in and stay dry and comfortable is snowmobile gear. My bibs, boots, gloves and coat are waterproof and warm. I have ridden my motorcycle in the snow in the mid 20's, and been fine. I've ridden the snowmobile to 20 below... granted, the heated grips and thumbwarmer on a snowmobile really put out, and your feet are up under the cowl, and you get a good workout throwing your weight around, all help. But the only thing electric that I owned gear-wise was the shield on my helmet.

And I don't care who you are, or where you are...
...even here in South Texas, when it's in the 30's, it's a cold ride.